Musée Jean Le Mineur
Association-run museum on the former pit-head of the Noyant-d'Allier mine, with guided tour, reconstructed galleries and a small mining train.
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About the museum
Coal has been mined at Noyant-d'Allier for several centuries. After several operators, the mine was taken over at the beginning of the 19th century by the Compagnie de Châtillon-Commentry-Neuvesmaisons. The Puits Central was sunk in 1920 to a depth of 430 meters, and the pit-head buildings, including the headframe, were then built from 1922 to plans by Eugène Freyssinet, the engineer who developed prestressed concrete.
Intensive mining lasted until 1943, when the mine stopped. The neighboring miners' housing (corons) later housed other residents, and the site was no longer worked. In 2019, the ensemble received the “Ensemble industriel remarquable” label from the Patrimoine aurhalpin.
The museum opened to the public in 1988, run by a volunteer association, the Amis du musée de la mine. The visit begins with a film on the history of coal, continues aboard the small mining train “Marie”, which runs on a 60 cm gauge track around the pit-head, then on foot among machines from several French mines and through reconstructed galleries showing the techniques, working conditions and dangers of the job.
Highlights
- Guided tour with a film on coal
- Small mining train on a 60 cm gauge track around the pit-head
- Puits Central and buildings designed by Eugène Freyssinet
- Mining machines from several French mines
- Reconstructed galleries on the work of miners
Permanent exhibition
- Visite du carreau et du petit train minier – Guided route around the former pit-head, with the small train on a 60 cm gauge track, mining machines from several French coalfields and reconstructed galleries.
- Founded
- 1988
- Operated by
- Association des Amis du musée de la mine
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6Young people aged 10 to 17 |
| Children & teens | €6free up to age 9 · Free for children under 10; €6 from age 10 to 17 |
| Groups (9+ people) | €7 per personAdult rate from 9 people, booking required |
| Group, young people aged 10 to 17 (per person) | €5.50From 9 people |
| School groups and leisure centers (per pupil) | €5.50 |
Prices for the guided visit (film, small train and walk on foot).
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 9 |
|---|
Free admission for children under 10, reduced rate for ages 10 to 17 and for school groups; the visit includes a ride on the small train.
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking
Free parking near the museum (Place Michel Lafay).
The museum is located on the mine's pit-head, 31 rue de la Mine.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | no |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | For safety reasons, the visit is only possible with a guide: introductory film, ride on the small train, then a walk on foot through the machines and reconstructed galleries. Booking required for groups of 9 people or more, by phone or email. |
